RECRUITING

Marion Classic to feature one-day, 16-team event

Kyle Neddenriep

Pike Red Devil Justin Thomas, the team's high scorer with 21 points, makes an uncontested basket with under a minute to play, which turned out to be the winning basket, putting Pike ahead 49-45 in the teams' 49-48 win over the Class 4A No. 1 Southport Cardinals in the Perry Meridian boys basketball sectional final on Saturday, March 7, 2015.

This event is eight months away, but figured it was worth sharing. The Marion Boys Basketball Classic on Dec. 22 will feature eight games and several top players (six IndyStar Indiana Junior All-Stars). Marion athletic director Jamy Bechler said these games are still subject to change, but this is the schedule that has been agreed upon (it will be played on Dec. 22 at Marion High School):

Harrison vs. Columbus North, 10 a.m. – Harrison was 14-10 last season but loses its top two scorers. Dominic Trapp (8.9 ppg), a 5-10 junior, returns. Columbus North was 16-8 last year but is essentially starting over with a new coach and a the bulk of its team gone to graduation.

Danville vs. NorthWood, 11:30 a.m. – Danville was 20-5 last season and returns 6-2 junior Ryan Cloncs (14.1 ppg, 5.6 rebounds). NorthWood was 23-3 last season and advanced to the Class 3A regional championship.

Covington vs. Tri-West, 1 p.m. – Covington was 22-2 last season but the Class A program is losing its top two players to graduation and will have a new coach. Tri-West was 21-5 last season and lost to Guerin Catholic in the regional championship. Peyton Hendershot, a 6-4 sophomore, averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds last season.

Warren Central vs. Liberty Christian, 2:30 p.m. – Warren Central was 10-12 last season against one of the state's toughest schedules and returns top junior Djimon Henson. Liberty Christian, one of the state's top Class A programs with a 25-4 record last season, returns junior Franklin Nunn (18.7 ppg, 7.4 rebounds) and sophomore Ronny Williams (11.0 ppg).

Lawrence North vs. Gary Roosevelt, 4 p.m. – Lawrence North was 19-6 last season and won a sectional title. The Wildcats have top freshmen Kevin Easley and Antwaan Cushingberry returning. Coming off a 16-6 season, Gary Roosevelt returns 6-8 junior Tevin Farris.

Columbus East vs. Lawrence Central, 5:30 p.m. – Columbus East is coming off a 14-9 season, while Lawrence Central was 10-12 and returns top juniors Kyle Guy (19.8 ppg) and Mehki Biffle (15.3 ppg).

Southport vs. Tech, 7 p.m. – Southport, 23-3 last season, will load up for another run led by 6-10 senior-to-be Joey Brunk (16.5 ppg, 9.0 rebounds) and junior-to-be Paul Scruggs (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rebounds). Tech, 15-9 last season, is led by senior-to-be C.J. Walker (23.8 ppg).

Marion vs. Pike, 8:30 p.m. – Marion, which drops to 3A this year, is led by senior-to-be Vijay Blackmon (21.3 ppg, 5.1 rebounds) and senior-to-be Reggie Jones (13.0 ppg, 7.5 rebounds). Pike, coming off an 18-9 season and fifth consecutive sectional title, returns senior-to-be Justin Thomas (13.1 ppg) and junior-to-be Justin Roberts (13.1 ppg).